All good things come to an end, and Proverbs is about to finish.
I am often a little curious at this. Why, in a world that was so male-dominated, did Lemuel (not Solomon any more) choose to finish his work on wisdom by discussing what amounts to the perfect woman?
Probably it’s a matter of finishing with what is important in life. After all, the assumption is that it will be a male reading this (sorry to all my female readers – I know that this is sexist! But times were different back then . . . ); and the most important thing that he can really do on this planet is to marry the right person.
A wife of Noble character.
I can remember a friend of mine having a book called “Help! I’m intimidated by the Proverbs 31 woman!”
Great title, really. But it does demonstrate something.
This woman is so perfect that she can scare people. Hey, she’s threatening to me, and I’m a male.
She’s incredibly smart, has good business acumen, works hard, is beautiful . . .
A woman could be forgiven for asking “How can I compete with that?!”
Well, to all of you I should answer that you don’t have to. She is an ideal, not a reality. The Prov 31 woman has every quality that a real woman should aspire to, but if you haven’t got there yet, don’t despair!
That said, I believe myself to be married to her . . .
What a pity Mere doesn’t usually read my blog entries!
14 August 2011
11 August 2011
Chapter 30
10/8/11
CHAPTER 30
There are a group of people who call themselves the “new Atheists.”
New atheists are exactly like old atheists, but much more strident.
Meh, whatever. But somehow they’re gaining a lot of publicity these days. Atheism isn’t significantly more popular than it used to be, but these people seem to have a higher profile than before.
As a young man, I used to debate atheists, a LOT. When I was at uni, I dreamed of being the atheist’s worst nightmare. I knew all the counters to common atheists’ arguments. I could demonstrate the reality of God from History, Science, Philosophy, whatever was your area of expertise. You know, I’d even let you pick the home ground – I was comfortable on your turf even if you were a PhD.
I have some more thoughts on this, but before we do, we’re reading Proverbs 30 today.
It may interest you to know that atheism isn’t new. There have been atheists for at least 3000 years – at the very latest, they existed when Solomon was writing.
We know this because Solomon addresses that very issue.
Verses 1-4 of Proverbs 30 list off a few typical atheist phrases – “There is no God! I can do whatever I like! I see no evidence of a holy God!”
Given that Solomon is the wisest person ever to walk, it’s interesting to read how HE handles this question.
Does he come up with cunning arguments? No.
Does he refer back to the authority of various writings by the atheists’ favourite authors? Again, no.
Does he rubbish and insult them? No.
So what does he do?
Solomon is quiet and gentle. He doesn’t argue or debate; he simply comments on the faithfulness of God.
Note this – he doesn’t argue or convince. Rather he simply says “Every promise of God proves true;
he protects everyone who runs to him for help”. Effectively, Solomon takes God as an axiom (a self-evident truth) and works things out from there.
I used to debate a lot, as I said at the beginning of this commentary. Things have changed – I don’t really see constant argument as a valuable use of my time or the atheist’s. But recognizing God’s hand in things and pointing that hand out to others seems to be the best way to react.
And since Soloman and his cronies are wise – the wisest ever – I’m willing to trust that Solomon knows what he’s talking about.
CHAPTER 30
There are a group of people who call themselves the “new Atheists.”
New atheists are exactly like old atheists, but much more strident.
Meh, whatever. But somehow they’re gaining a lot of publicity these days. Atheism isn’t significantly more popular than it used to be, but these people seem to have a higher profile than before.
As a young man, I used to debate atheists, a LOT. When I was at uni, I dreamed of being the atheist’s worst nightmare. I knew all the counters to common atheists’ arguments. I could demonstrate the reality of God from History, Science, Philosophy, whatever was your area of expertise. You know, I’d even let you pick the home ground – I was comfortable on your turf even if you were a PhD.
I have some more thoughts on this, but before we do, we’re reading Proverbs 30 today.
It may interest you to know that atheism isn’t new. There have been atheists for at least 3000 years – at the very latest, they existed when Solomon was writing.
We know this because Solomon addresses that very issue.
Verses 1-4 of Proverbs 30 list off a few typical atheist phrases – “There is no God! I can do whatever I like! I see no evidence of a holy God!”
Given that Solomon is the wisest person ever to walk, it’s interesting to read how HE handles this question.
Does he come up with cunning arguments? No.
Does he refer back to the authority of various writings by the atheists’ favourite authors? Again, no.
Does he rubbish and insult them? No.
So what does he do?
Solomon is quiet and gentle. He doesn’t argue or debate; he simply comments on the faithfulness of God.
Note this – he doesn’t argue or convince. Rather he simply says “Every promise of God proves true;
he protects everyone who runs to him for help”. Effectively, Solomon takes God as an axiom (a self-evident truth) and works things out from there.
I used to debate a lot, as I said at the beginning of this commentary. Things have changed – I don’t really see constant argument as a valuable use of my time or the atheist’s. But recognizing God’s hand in things and pointing that hand out to others seems to be the best way to react.
And since Soloman and his cronies are wise – the wisest ever – I’m willing to trust that Solomon knows what he’s talking about.
08 August 2011
Chapter 29
A theme that runs through a number of the proverbs in this chapter is this:
Our decisions (wise or foolish, or anything in between) have consequences.
Since this is written by a king for a king, naturally the consequences that he focuses on are those relating to the subjects the younger king will rule; and therefore we can see some issues that may be found when someone is in government.
For example:
• “When good people run things, everyone is glad; but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.”
The decisions of those in high places have a strong tendency to trickle down. A leader may think they can get away with it; indeed, in my experience the problem with bad leadership isn’t so much a direct tendency for bad decisions to happen, so much as a general bad “vibe” within the organization, the church or the country. Somehow, when the leader misbehaves, everyone begins to follow suit, even people who shouldn’t be able to sense what is happening.
• “A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.”
Interesting contrast here – Stability vs waste! But we’ve all experienced leaders who weren’t really in the job because they believed in the organization’s goals, but because it furthered their own goals. And indeed, waste is a hallmark of this particular type of leadership.
• “A gang of cynics can upset a whole city; a group of sages can calm everyone down.”
It doesn’t take a lot to do a lot of damage, as far as leadership is concerned. If people get cynical in one area of life, it tends to spread; and cynical leadership generally becomes abusing leadership. On the other hand, wise leadership can make all the difference.
• “When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild; but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.”
It’s an important comfort to us all that the evil people won’t get things their own way forever.
No, wisdom and foolishness among leaders impact those being led. We forget this at our peril.
Our decisions (wise or foolish, or anything in between) have consequences.
Since this is written by a king for a king, naturally the consequences that he focuses on are those relating to the subjects the younger king will rule; and therefore we can see some issues that may be found when someone is in government.
For example:
• “When good people run things, everyone is glad; but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.”
The decisions of those in high places have a strong tendency to trickle down. A leader may think they can get away with it; indeed, in my experience the problem with bad leadership isn’t so much a direct tendency for bad decisions to happen, so much as a general bad “vibe” within the organization, the church or the country. Somehow, when the leader misbehaves, everyone begins to follow suit, even people who shouldn’t be able to sense what is happening.
• “A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.”
Interesting contrast here – Stability vs waste! But we’ve all experienced leaders who weren’t really in the job because they believed in the organization’s goals, but because it furthered their own goals. And indeed, waste is a hallmark of this particular type of leadership.
• “A gang of cynics can upset a whole city; a group of sages can calm everyone down.”
It doesn’t take a lot to do a lot of damage, as far as leadership is concerned. If people get cynical in one area of life, it tends to spread; and cynical leadership generally becomes abusing leadership. On the other hand, wise leadership can make all the difference.
• “When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild; but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.”
It’s an important comfort to us all that the evil people won’t get things their own way forever.
No, wisdom and foolishness among leaders impact those being led. We forget this at our peril.
06 August 2011
Chapter 28
Curiously, many of us seek wisdom – but most usually, we seek it when things have already reached such a serious underpass that we’d give anything for the problem to be fixed.
Sometimes our cries for wisdom may mean locking the gate after the horse has bolted . . .
In any case, Proverbs 28 is looking at the wisdom needed when things are tough. Let’s give it a once-over.
Some of the themes covered include:
• The connection between confidence and having nothing to hide (v1,17,18)
• The goodness of God’s law (vs 4, 5)
• The connection between God’s law and wisdom (v7)
• The need for a leader to fight crime and corruption (boy, could some leaders learn a thing or two here! v2, 16)
Then we have verses 19-28. And here we find something quite interesting – it’s a number of statements that serve to underline what Philip Yancey calls “The atrocious mathematics of Grace”.
God thinks differently from us, and his thought patterns are characterized by grace. This means that sometimes what God asks is counter-intuitive.
For example:
• Humans are always on the lookout for an easy way. “Get-rich-quick” schemes and attempts to get something for nothing are almost de rigeur. But God wants us to work for our living (and let’s face it, this is part of being made in His image. He is a God who works, and it is natural for Him to want us to do the same.
• We would automatically assume that the best way to get what you want is to be tightfisted, only spending your money on things that you really want. In contrast, God’s way is for us to be generous. This is counter-intuitive, but it really works.
Being Christ like is often a process of unlearning the things that we have learned. Society teaches us the wrong way very often; God teaches us a more difficult way; but in the end it’s also the best way.
Sometimes our cries for wisdom may mean locking the gate after the horse has bolted . . .
In any case, Proverbs 28 is looking at the wisdom needed when things are tough. Let’s give it a once-over.
Some of the themes covered include:
• The connection between confidence and having nothing to hide (v1,17,18)
• The goodness of God’s law (vs 4, 5)
• The connection between God’s law and wisdom (v7)
• The need for a leader to fight crime and corruption (boy, could some leaders learn a thing or two here! v2, 16)
Then we have verses 19-28. And here we find something quite interesting – it’s a number of statements that serve to underline what Philip Yancey calls “The atrocious mathematics of Grace”.
God thinks differently from us, and his thought patterns are characterized by grace. This means that sometimes what God asks is counter-intuitive.
For example:
• Humans are always on the lookout for an easy way. “Get-rich-quick” schemes and attempts to get something for nothing are almost de rigeur. But God wants us to work for our living (and let’s face it, this is part of being made in His image. He is a God who works, and it is natural for Him to want us to do the same.
• We would automatically assume that the best way to get what you want is to be tightfisted, only spending your money on things that you really want. In contrast, God’s way is for us to be generous. This is counter-intuitive, but it really works.
Being Christ like is often a process of unlearning the things that we have learned. Society teaches us the wrong way very often; God teaches us a more difficult way; but in the end it’s also the best way.
05 August 2011
Chapter 27
Even for Proverbs, chapter 27 is eclectic. As far as I can determine, there doesn’t seem to be any kind of theme to it. It’s basically skipping all around life, proclaiming on a number of topics about wisdom.
There are patterns, but they are linguistic patterns rather than patterns in the subject matter. There is a pattern that many of the proverbs repeat – “Don’t (X, Y, Z); Because (A, B, C).”
The impression that I get is of Solomon, aged and weary, recognizing that he has just one last chance to talk to his son. He just wants to dump on him all the wisdom that will be needed for posterity.
Of course, all this is impossible; there is just too much to learn out there.
But he’s giving it a red hot go!
In one chapter, there is instruction on:
• Your place in the Universe
• Your relationships with others.
• Dealing with fools
• How much one should eat in public.
• Relationships with friends.
I’m not writing much more here. Just read it for yourself if you havent’ done so!
There are patterns, but they are linguistic patterns rather than patterns in the subject matter. There is a pattern that many of the proverbs repeat – “Don’t (X, Y, Z); Because (A, B, C).”
The impression that I get is of Solomon, aged and weary, recognizing that he has just one last chance to talk to his son. He just wants to dump on him all the wisdom that will be needed for posterity.
Of course, all this is impossible; there is just too much to learn out there.
But he’s giving it a red hot go!
In one chapter, there is instruction on:
• Your place in the Universe
• Your relationships with others.
• Dealing with fools
• How much one should eat in public.
• Relationships with friends.
I’m not writing much more here. Just read it for yourself if you havent’ done so!
02 August 2011
Chapter 26
The poll is up. Vote away!
--
Having spent the last chapter extolling the virtues of Wisdom (as he does for much of the book), Solomon, through Hezekiah, now changes tack. Instead of speaking of the wonders of wisdom, he now warns against folly.
Keep in the back of your mind that to Solomon, folly and evil are equivalent.
And what a tirade! As a connoisseur of fine invective, I always love to hear (or read) excellent examples of ranting. And Solomon doesn’t disappoint!
A few examples:
“Putting a fool in the place of honour is like putting a mud brick on a marble column!”
Don’t you just love the imagery here? It’s so evocative!
“As a dog eats its own vomit, so fools recycle silliness.”
In passing, a good translation of this well-known proverb. There are layers of meaning here. There’s the simple revolting nature of the actions described. Then there is the fact that a dog is associated (to Jewish readers) with uncleanness. There’s the comparison of the futility of such actions too.
“Don’t respond to the stupidity of a fool. You’ll only look foolish yourself.”
Be honest – how many times have you been caught by this one?
“Answer a fool in simple terms, or he may get a swelled head.”
And arrogant fools are not at all short in our society.
There’s lots more, but read them yourself!
Solomon’s distaste for fools is striking, but not unexpected. A lack of wisdom does a lot of damage. Each of us can think of situations where thoughtless or stupid comments have damaged a friendship, wrecked a team, perverted justice. Foolish thoughts and deeds can harm all those around.
Wisdom is best, of course – but at least let’s try to avoid folly!
--
Having spent the last chapter extolling the virtues of Wisdom (as he does for much of the book), Solomon, through Hezekiah, now changes tack. Instead of speaking of the wonders of wisdom, he now warns against folly.
Keep in the back of your mind that to Solomon, folly and evil are equivalent.
And what a tirade! As a connoisseur of fine invective, I always love to hear (or read) excellent examples of ranting. And Solomon doesn’t disappoint!
A few examples:
“Putting a fool in the place of honour is like putting a mud brick on a marble column!”
Don’t you just love the imagery here? It’s so evocative!
“As a dog eats its own vomit, so fools recycle silliness.”
In passing, a good translation of this well-known proverb. There are layers of meaning here. There’s the simple revolting nature of the actions described. Then there is the fact that a dog is associated (to Jewish readers) with uncleanness. There’s the comparison of the futility of such actions too.
“Don’t respond to the stupidity of a fool. You’ll only look foolish yourself.”
Be honest – how many times have you been caught by this one?
“Answer a fool in simple terms, or he may get a swelled head.”
And arrogant fools are not at all short in our society.
There’s lots more, but read them yourself!
Solomon’s distaste for fools is striking, but not unexpected. A lack of wisdom does a lot of damage. Each of us can think of situations where thoughtless or stupid comments have damaged a friendship, wrecked a team, perverted justice. Foolish thoughts and deeds can harm all those around.
Wisdom is best, of course – but at least let’s try to avoid folly!
01 August 2011
Chapter 25
We are approaching the end of the book of Proverbs, and it’s getting close to that time again – time to choose another book!
We’re going back into the New Testament, and we’ll tackle the one kind of book I haven’t looked at yet in Johno’s Commentary – a Gospel. But these four books are so familiar that it’s going to be a real challenge to find something new.
So here we go – Matthew, Mark, Luke or John? Make your choice, dear friend!
Anyway, on with tonight’s episode – Proverbs chapter 25!
--
The book changes its style again. Once again it is the sayings of Solomon; but this time it is a group of sayings collected by a later king, King Hezekiah. Whether done personally by him or by his scribes on his behalf and for his reference is something we will never know; in any case, the sayings listed here are attributed to Solomon.
And wisdom once again we find.
The first few sayings (vs 1 -15) once again vary as to their topic, but broadly they are simply on the nature of wise and knowledgeable living. Once again, Solomon tells us about how a leader should view knowledge.
A leader, says Solomon, should have a deep and broad knowledge. This is in contrast to our dominant worldview which tends to encourage people who are completely specialized in the discipline of attaining and exercising power. Solomon, on the other hand, believes that a leader needs to be educated, and to have a good idea of the world around them. In this way, nothing can surprise them.
The next section, 16 – 25, is more about self-control – something many people (including myself) need to develop!
It’s a bunch of really practical ways you can avoid making yourself out to be a fool in front of others.
We’re going back into the New Testament, and we’ll tackle the one kind of book I haven’t looked at yet in Johno’s Commentary – a Gospel. But these four books are so familiar that it’s going to be a real challenge to find something new.
So here we go – Matthew, Mark, Luke or John? Make your choice, dear friend!
Anyway, on with tonight’s episode – Proverbs chapter 25!
--
The book changes its style again. Once again it is the sayings of Solomon; but this time it is a group of sayings collected by a later king, King Hezekiah. Whether done personally by him or by his scribes on his behalf and for his reference is something we will never know; in any case, the sayings listed here are attributed to Solomon.
And wisdom once again we find.
The first few sayings (vs 1 -15) once again vary as to their topic, but broadly they are simply on the nature of wise and knowledgeable living. Once again, Solomon tells us about how a leader should view knowledge.
A leader, says Solomon, should have a deep and broad knowledge. This is in contrast to our dominant worldview which tends to encourage people who are completely specialized in the discipline of attaining and exercising power. Solomon, on the other hand, believes that a leader needs to be educated, and to have a good idea of the world around them. In this way, nothing can surprise them.
The next section, 16 – 25, is more about self-control – something many people (including myself) need to develop!
It’s a bunch of really practical ways you can avoid making yourself out to be a fool in front of others.
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